Kerala floods: Death toll touches 324

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), Aug 18 : The death toll in Kerala due to floods has risen to 324, Chief Minister Officer (CMO) of Kerala said on Friday. The CMO, in a tweet, said that 324 lives have been lost due to floods and around 2,23,139 people have taken refuge in more than 1,500 relief camps. The incessant rains are not bringing any respite to the people with streets inundated with flood waters. The Indian Army and the Indian Navy has been pressed in to carry out rescue and relief operations in vulnerable areas on full throttle as helicopters airlifted stranded families from rooftops and dam gates were thrown open as torrential rain brought fresh havoc in the state. Kerala is facing its worst flood in 100 years. The heaviest rains and floods since 1924 have caused massive destruction, leaving more than 223139 people in relief camps and damage to crops and properties.(ANI)